Wary of hospitals, pregnant Black women in Syracuse look to doulas
Courtesy of Sequoia Kemp
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Chyna Harrison was terrified to give birth.
“Don’t leave me in this hospital. Wait until somebody comes back,” Harrison said to her doula as she was in labor, dilated at 9 centimeters.
Doulas are trained labor professionals who provide guidance and support to pregnant women during labor.
Before giving birth, Harrison had heard stories about many Black women who died in labor. Her distrust of hospitals brought her to SeQuoia Kemp, a certified doula and founder of the Syracuse birthing service, Doula 4 A Queen, which provides affordable health care and birthing services for expectant mothers, specifically women of color.